Optometry’s Meeting Recap

Another successful Optometry’s Meeting is in the books having taken place in Washington DC from June 20 – 24. This is always a productive time for ABO, with a booth in the exhibit hall and the opportunity to meet with key members and groups in the profession. Our Executive Director, Dr. James Vaught and Board Chair, Dr. Barbara Reiss, met with the AOA board to provide an update on our activities and discussed ways to work together to advocate for board certification. Our incoming Board Chair, Dr. Erich Hinel, and our AOSA student liaison, Kathryn Brogan, presented to the AOSA board. ABO also held discussions with ARBO and several other key optometric professionals.

In the exhibit hall, our booth was stocked with updated literature and staffed by knowledgeable ABO board members. And just for a bit of fun, we held two raffles for an Amazon Tap; one for ODs and one for students. Our OD winner was Dr. Charles Harrill, an ABO Diplomate from Mechanicsville, Virginia and our student winner was Tran Luong from UAB.

And finally, as with all conferences, the best part of the event is getting to talk with our Diplomates and potential Diplomates about their experiences and thoughts on board certification. Here are some highlights of what we heard.

“I’m taking the board certification exam in July and the review course I just took was a great refresher. Being in practice for 20 years you don’t realize what you may have forgotten because you do not use it on a regular basis or what new practices and procedures you may have missed.”

“I work in a larger MD/OD practice and we are now hiring only board certified ODs. Those of us already on staff have 3 years to become board certified.”

“I just took your module on Culturally Competent Care and found it very informative and relevant to my practice. I am going to discuss it with my staff when I get back from OM.”

“It would be great if you could make all COPE approved online CE Category 1. I learn more taking an online course at my own pace than I do sitting in a live session where other things may distract me or I tune out because I can’t hear the speaker well or maybe it just isn’t that engaging.”

“The reduced exam fee has made it more palatable to take the board certification exam. Although my employer is encouraging all ODs in our practice to become board certified, they do not reimburse the cost of the exam.”

“I would like to see board certification as a way to carry licensure from state to state. If you are certified by ABO, you should be able to practice in any state.” (We couldn’t agree more with this comment and are working on it!)

“There needs to be an easier way to enter your CE. It can be time consuming.” (We are working on this as well!)

“I have let my MOC lapse due to some personal issues but I want to become current again. Is that possible?” (Yes it is! Call us at 314-983-4226 and we will help you get back on track!)

“I am a faculty member who just became board certified last year and I now encourage all of my students and residents to do it. Not only will it broaden your opportunities for employment, but the MOC program also provides a great path for continuing your education and staying up to date on the latest practices.”